KIRKUS REVIEW

A biracial brother and sister
explore the out-of-doors (and a bit of mischief) through the four seasons in
this poetic look at the many forms water takes on its trip through its cycle.

The book begins in summer as the
siblings catch a turtle in the pond near their home before rain drives them
indoors. From drinking a cup of water to watching the steam rise from their hot
cocoa, the two notice the water around them, letting the turtle go again under
a gorgeous cloud-filled sky before a page turn signals autumn, school, falling
leaves and fog. “Rain is rain unless… // on the ground. / Slosh / in
galoshes. / Splash to your knees! / Puddles are puddles unless… //
puddles freeze. / Glide. / Slide. / Put on the brakes! / Ice is ice unless…
// it forms flakes.” Much like Deborah Lee Rose’s illustrations for her Twelve
Days books, Chin’s realistic watercolor-and-gouache illustrations offer repeat
readers seemingly endless new details, like the brother’s propensity for
finding small animals with which to torment his sister. The water cycle’s
importance is brought home in the closing pages, snow leading to spring to mud to
roots to apples to cider. Backmatter tells more about each step in the cycle,
using solid explanations and science vocabulary.

An engaging and lyrical look at the
water cycle. (water facts, further reading, bibliography) (Informational
picture book. 6-10)

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